Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards meeting, October 13, 2026

• When: Tue, Oct 13, 2026, 10:00 AM (Chicago time)
• Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
• Status: Scheduled & Published
• Committee: Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
• Video: https://vimeo.com/1234481036
• Transcript: full text (21,443 words, automatic captions)

Video chapters

• 25:15 Approval of Rule 45 report / September minutes
• 25:43 Deferral of multiple listed items (SRO ordinance, 4200 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., 37 E Garfield,…
• 52:57 Problem Landlord and Housing Court Coordination Task Force (substitute)
• 53:27 Gilbert Villegas: Presented resolution to establish Problem Landlord and Housing Court Coordination Task…
• 54:28 Gilbert Villegas: Described task force goal: improve how the city identifies repeat housing code offenders…
• 55:34 Gilbert Villegas: Stated task force does not interfere with judicial independence and must submit…
• 56:00 William Conway: Usually opposes unelected task forces but called this one well-timed with tenant-rights…
• 57:29 William Conway: Expressed confidence in new chief judge based on long professional acquaintance.
• 58:11 Bennett R. Lawson: Suggested the task force should have come before rental ordinances; asked about the…
• 1:00:06 Allowing lawful cannabis dispensaries to include medical cannabis (substitute)
• 1:00:39 Bennett R. Lawson: Presented substitute ordinance allowing all licensed dispensaries, including social…
• 1:02:23 William Conway: Thanked Alderman Lawson on medical cannabis ordinance, recounting Zen Leaf's need for a Type…
• 1:02:50 Brendan Reilly: Supported medical cannabis ordinance as common-sense removal of red tape.
• 1:03:53 Repeal of historical landmark designation of Cortland Bridge
• 1:04:20 Brian Hopkins: Explained the Cortland Bridge repeal involves state and federal landmark layers and would…
• 1:05:17 Brian Hopkins: Relayed CDOT engineers' commitment to complete bridge work by end of 2028 and moved to defer…
• 1:07:19 Permit fee waiver, landmark property 208 S LaSalle (conversion of floors 14-16 to 167 residential units)
• 1:09:14 Anthony Beale: Questioned whether permit fee waivers typically apply to external rather than internal work;…
• 1:11:01 Large signs over 100 square feet, 24 feet above grade, multiple wards (batch)
• 1:13:15 Map amendment, 1600-1760 W Chicago Ave, B1-3 to B3-3 and B1-2 to B3-2 (Ward 1)
• 1:13:50 Daniel La Spata: Presented Chicago Avenue upzoning (B1 to B3) to reduce months-long zoning waits for new…
• 1:16:03 Map amendment, 4639-4643 S Wallace, B2-3 to RS-3 (Ward 15)
• 1:16:24 Raymond A. Lopez: Asked favorable recommendation to return 4639-4643 S Wallace to original RS-3 zoning,…
• 1:17:21 Map amendment, 1721 W Greenleaf Ave, RT-4 to B3-3, old firehouse redevelopment (Ward 49)
• 1:18:02 Maria E. Hadden: Presented rezoning of the old firehouse at 1721 W Greenleaf to B3-3 for a co-working and…
• 1:18:55 Map amendment, 1608 S Wabash, DX-5 to DS-3 (Ward 3)
• 1:21:43 Pat Dowell: Supported zoning change for a decades-old interior building materials business at 1608 S Wabash.
• 1:23:00 Map amendment, 4841 N Lipp Ave, B3-2 to C1-2, firehouse renovation (Ward 45)
• 1:24:39 Map amendment, 3927-3933 S King Dr, RM-5 to B3-3 (Ward 3)
• 1:25:42 Map amendment, 53rd & Kenneth, RS-2 to RT-4, legalization of 3-unit building (Ward 23)
• 1:27:33 Map amendment, 1140 N California, B3-1 to B3-3, behavioral health urgent care (Ward 26)
• 1:28:48 Jessica L. Fuentes: Supported Humboldt Park Health behavioral health urgent care rezoning, describing the…
• 1:29:27 Map amendment, 5482 S Ridgewood Ct, RT-4 to RM-4.5 with variations (Ward 5)
• 1:31:58 Map amendment, 4125-4127 W 5th Ave, RT-4 to RM-4.5, two 3-unit buildings (Ward 24)
• 1:34:31 Map amendment, 2142 W 18th Pl, RT-4 to RM-5 (Ward 25)
• 1:34:54 Map amendment, 2315-2317 W Berry Ave, RS-3 to RT-4, off-site affordable units (Ward 32)
• 1:36:47 Map amendment, 3244-3250 W Bryn Mawr, revise prior Type 1 to 5-story, 40 units (Ward 39)
• 1:38:23 Map amendment, 7353-7359 S Indiana, RS-2 to RT-4, 8-unit multigenerational building (Ward 6)
• 1:40:21 William E. Hall: Thanked the developer and attorney for a clear, community-friendly process on the 73rd &…
• 1:41:01 Map amendment, 2156 W Warren Blvd, RT-4 to RM-5, 8-unit building (Ward 27)
• 1:43:01 Walter R. Burnett: Supported 2156 W Warren project, praising community engagement and hiring commitments.
• 1:43:43 Map amendment, 2400 W Grenshaw / 1124 S Western, C1-2 to B2-3, 7 units (Ward 28)
• 1:46:11 Map amendment, 1933 N Winchester, RS-3 to RM-4.5 (Ward 32)
• 1:48:49 Map amendment, 3439 S Morgan, B1-3 to B2-3, 6-unit building (Ward 11)
• 1:51:11 Map amendment, 1921 W Chicago Ave, B3-2 to B3-3, 4-story mixed-use (Ward 36)
• 1:52:58 Map amendment, 1807-1809 W Augusta Blvd, RM-4.5 to RM-4.5 revision (Ward 36)
• 1:55:19 Map amendment, 1644 N Winchester, RS-3 to RT-4, addition (Ward 32)
• 1:57:08 Map amendment, 1147-1151 S Independence Blvd, C1-2 for car wash expansion (Ward 24)
• 1:58:23 Map amendment, 2342-2346 W Jackson Blvd, RM-5 to B2-3, 15 units (Ward 27)
• 1:59:58 Walter R. Burnett: Supported 2342-2346 W Jackson project, noting prior community group approval and Type 1…
• 2:00:19 Map amendment, 124-130 E 75th St, B1-1 to M1-1, gas station modernization (Ward 6)
• 2:02:18 Map amendment, 6701-31 S Western, B1-2 to C2-2, car dealership (Ward 16)
• 2:03:35 Map amendment, 2249 W Cermak, B3-2 to B2-3, basement units (Ward 25)
• 2:05:04 Map amendment, 2648-2658 W Lawrence, B3-2 to B2-3, 37 units (Ward 40)
• 2:06:42 Map amendment, 1745-1759 N Cicero, C2-1 to B2-3, 36 units (Ward 37)
• 2:08:51 Map amendment, 814 W 69th St, RS-3 to C1-1, salon + apartment (Ward 16)
• 2:11:50 Brendan Reilly: Asked applicant about a salon being a 'gathering place,' citing trend of salons becoming…
• 2:13:22 David H. Moore: Supported 814 W 69th project as an asset for revitalizing 69th Street, praising a…
• 2:14:25 Map amendment, 5300-5358 W 55th / Laurel / Lockwood, RS-3 to B2-1, Southwest Airlines parking (Ward 23)
• 2:18:02 Map amendment, 537-547 W Oak / 939-957 N Larrabee, DR-3 revision, 78-unit mixed-rate building (Ward 27)
• 2:21:11 Brendan Reilly: Requested renderings for the Oak/Larrabee project so members know what they are voting on,…
• 2:24:45 Map amendment, 1140-1144 S California, C1-2 to C1-3, daycare parking (Ward 28)
• 2:26:36 Map amendment, 1001-1003 S Campbell, RT-3.5 to RT-4, single-family home (Ward 28)
• 2:28:33 Map amendment, 2328-2834 W Montana, M1-2 to RT-4, eight 2-unit residences (Ward 32)
• 2:32:17 Map amendment, 4301 W Montrose, RT-3.5 to C2-1, Stagehands Local 2 storage/training (Ward 39)
• 2:35:12 Map amendment, 5000-5046 S Wells, B1-1 to RS-3 (Ward 20)
• 2:35:41 Jeanette B. Taylor: Supported downzoning a vacant lot to RS-3, noting she inherited 5,000 vacant lots and…
• 2:36:20 Transit-oriented development ordinance, 47th/40th wards (substitute)
• 2:37:01 Matthew J. Martin: Presented TOD ordinance stemming from a Western Avenue corridor study, aimed at spurring…
• 2:39:17 Matthew J. Martin: Explained the substitute lists specific 47th Ward corridors, with two more corridors to…

Meeting notes

AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.

The Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards met on October 13, 2026, chaired by Alderman Villegas, and heard roughly 30 minutes of public comment followed by a long slate of zoning matters. The committee passed a resolution establishing a Problem Landlord and Housing Court Coordination Task Force, an ordinance allowing cannabis dispensaries to sell medical cannabis, and a permit fee waiver for a landmark building at 208 South La Salle. It deferred Alderman Hopkins's repeal of the Cortland Bridge landmark designation after CDOT committed to completing rehabilitation by the end of 2028. Numerous map amendments across roughly two dozen wards were passed, deferred, or held, including transit-oriented development legislation for the 47th Ward.

Topics: SRO preservation, problem landlord task force, cannabis dispensaries, Cortland Bridge landmark status, permit fee waivers, large signs, zoning map amendments, transit-oriented development, affordable housing

Agenda items discussed

• 25:15 Approval of Rule 45 report / September minutes (TBD-1-1-1997-35): passed
• 25:43 Deferral of multiple listed items (SRO ordinance, 4200 S Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., 37 E Garfield, Halsted/Kingsbury/Ogden, 718 N St. Louis, etc.) (O2026-0027799): passed
• 52:57 Problem Landlord and Housing Court Coordination Task Force (substitute) (R2026-0028815): passed
• 1:00:06 Allowing lawful cannabis dispensaries to include medical cannabis (substitute) (O2026-0028463): passed
• 1:03:53 Repeal of historical landmark designation of Cortland Bridge (O2026-0027856): passed
• 1:07:19 Permit fee waiver, landmark property 208 S LaSalle (conversion of floors 14-16 to 167 residential units) (O2026-0028825): passed
• 1:11:01 Large signs over 100 square feet, 24 feet above grade, multiple wards (batch): passed
• 1:13:15 Map amendment, 1600-1760 W Chicago Ave, B1-3 to B3-3 and B1-2 to B3-2 (Ward 1) (A-9146): passed
• 1:16:03 Map amendment, 4639-4643 S Wallace, B2-3 to RS-3 (Ward 15) (A-9144): passed
• 1:17:21 Map amendment, 1721 W Greenleaf Ave, RT-4 to B3-3, old firehouse redevelopment (Ward 49) (A-9149): passed
• 1:18:55 Map amendment, 1608 S Wabash, DX-5 to DS-3 (Ward 3) (23131): passed
• 1:23:00 Map amendment, 4841 N Lipp Ave, B3-2 to C1-2, firehouse renovation (Ward 45) (23163): passed
• 1:24:39 Map amendment, 3927-3933 S King Dr, RM-5 to B3-3 (Ward 3) (23135): passed
• 1:25:42 Map amendment, 53rd & Kenneth, RS-2 to RT-4, legalization of 3-unit building (Ward 23) (23172-3): passed
• 1:27:33 Map amendment, 1140 N California, B3-1 to B3-3, behavioral health urgent care (Ward 26) (23162-T1): passed
• 1:29:27 Map amendment, 5482 S Ridgewood Ct, RT-4 to RM-4.5 with variations (Ward 5) (23170-T1): passed
• 1:31:58 Map amendment, 4125-4127 W 5th Ave, RT-4 to RM-4.5, two 3-unit buildings (Ward 24) (23171-T1): passed
• 1:34:31 Map amendment, 2142 W 18th Pl, RT-4 to RM-5 (Ward 25) (23173-T1): passed
• 1:34:54 Map amendment, 2315-2317 W Berry Ave, RS-3 to RT-4, off-site affordable units (Ward 32) (23169-T1): passed
• 1:36:47 Map amendment, 3244-3250 W Bryn Mawr, revise prior Type 1 to 5-story, 40 units (Ward 39) (23176-T1): passed
• 1:38:23 Map amendment, 7353-7359 S Indiana, RS-2 to RT-4, 8-unit multigenerational building (Ward 6) (23148-T1): passed
• 1:41:01 Map amendment, 2156 W Warren Blvd, RT-4 to RM-5, 8-unit building (Ward 27) (23147-T1): passed
• 1:43:43 Map amendment, 2400 W Grenshaw / 1124 S Western, C1-2 to B2-3, 7 units (Ward 28) (23149-T1): passed
• 1:46:11 Map amendment, 1933 N Winchester, RS-3 to RM-4.5 (Ward 32) (23175-T1): passed
• 1:48:49 Map amendment, 3439 S Morgan, B1-3 to B2-3, 6-unit building (Ward 11) (23152-T1): passed
• 1:51:11 Map amendment, 1921 W Chicago Ave, B3-2 to B3-3, 4-story mixed-use (Ward 36) (23153-T1): passed
• 1:52:58 Map amendment, 1807-1809 W Augusta Blvd, RM-4.5 to RM-4.5 revision (Ward 36) (23130-T1): passed
• 1:55:19 Map amendment, 1644 N Winchester, RS-3 to RT-4, addition (Ward 32) (23155-T1): passed
• 1:57:08 Map amendment, 1147-1151 S Independence Blvd, C1-2 for car wash expansion (Ward 24) (23154-T1): passed
• 1:58:23 Map amendment, 2342-2346 W Jackson Blvd, RM-5 to B2-3, 15 units (Ward 27) (23156-T1): passed
• 2:00:19 Map amendment, 124-130 E 75th St, B1-1 to M1-1, gas station modernization (Ward 6) (23105-T1): passed
• 2:02:18 Map amendment, 6701-31 S Western, B1-2 to C2-2, car dealership (Ward 16) (23150): passed
• 2:03:35 Map amendment, 2249 W Cermak, B3-2 to B2-3, basement units (Ward 25) (23157): passed
• 2:05:04 Map amendment, 2648-2658 W Lawrence, B3-2 to B2-3, 37 units (Ward 40) (23160-T1): passed
• 2:06:42 Map amendment, 1745-1759 N Cicero, C2-1 to B2-3, 36 units (Ward 37) (23161-T1): passed
• 2:08:51 Map amendment, 814 W 69th St, RS-3 to C1-1, salon + apartment (Ward 16) (23159): passed
• 2:14:25 Map amendment, 5300-5358 W 55th / Laurel / Lockwood, RS-3 to B2-1, Southwest Airlines parking (Ward 23) (23151): passed
• 2:18:02 Map amendment, 537-547 W Oak / 939-957 N Larrabee, DR-3 revision, 78-unit mixed-rate building (Ward 27) (23166-T1): passed
• 2:24:45 Map amendment, 1140-1144 S California, C1-2 to C1-3, daycare parking (Ward 28) (23165-T1): passed
• 2:26:36 Map amendment, 1001-1003 S Campbell, RT-3.5 to RT-4, single-family home (Ward 28) (23177-T1): passed
• 2:28:33 Map amendment, 2328-2834 W Montana, M1-2 to RT-4, eight 2-unit residences (Ward 32) (23167-T1): passed
• 2:32:17 Map amendment, 4301 W Montrose, RT-3.5 to C2-1, Stagehands Local 2 storage/training (Ward 39) (23168-T1): passed
• 2:35:12 Map amendment, 5000-5046 S Wells, B1-1 to RS-3 (Ward 20) (A-9150): passed
• 2:36:20 Transit-oriented development ordinance, 47th/40th wards (substitute) (O2026-0025391): passed

Alderpersons who spoke

• Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Presented resolution to establish Problem Landlord and Housing Court Coordination Task Force, noting a new chief judge and upcoming changes to housing court judges. (53:27); Described task force goal: improve how the city identifies repeat housing code offenders and coordinates enforcement with Cook County Circuit Court. (54:28); Stated task force does not interfere with judicial independence and must submit recommendations within 180 days of its first meeting. (55:34)
• William Conway (alderperson): Usually opposes unelected task forces but called this one well-timed with tenant-rights discussions; asked how it interacts with pending legislation and whether it is premature. (56:00); Expressed confidence in new chief judge based on long professional acquaintance. (57:29); Thanked Alderman Lawson on medical cannabis ordinance, recounting Zen Leaf's need for a Type 1 to sell medical cannabis. (1:02:23)
• Bennett R. Lawson (alderperson): Suggested the task force should have come before rental ordinances; asked about the 180-day timeline. (58:11); Presented substitute ordinance allowing all licensed dispensaries, including social equity dispensaries, to sell medical cannabis; explained it avoids piecemeal Zoning Board of Appeals approvals. (1:00:39)
• Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Explained the Cortland Bridge repeal involves state and federal landmark layers and would take years; asked CDOT to work within the current designation so rehabilitation is not delayed. (1:04:20); Relayed CDOT engineers' commitment to complete bridge work by end of 2028 and moved to defer the repeal. (1:05:17)
• Daniel La Spata (alderperson): Presented Chicago Avenue upzoning (B1 to B3) to reduce months-long zoning waits for new restaurants; cited East Village Association support. (1:13:50)
• Raymond A. Lopez (alderperson): Asked favorable recommendation to return 4639-4643 S Wallace to original RS-3 zoning, saying it is fully supported by the community. (1:16:24)
• Anthony Beale (alderperson): Questioned whether permit fee waivers typically apply to external rather than internal work; received clarification that interior work subject to landmark review qualifies. (1:09:14)
• Pat Dowell (alderperson): Supported zoning change for a decades-old interior building materials business at 1608 S Wabash. (1:21:43)
• William E. Hall (alderperson): Thanked the developer and attorney for a clear, community-friendly process on the 73rd & Indiana housing project. (1:40:21)
• Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Supported Humboldt Park Health behavioral health urgent care rezoning, describing the site as an abandoned laundromat. (1:28:48)
• Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Supported 2156 W Warren project, praising community engagement and hiring commitments. (1:43:01); Supported 2342-2346 W Jackson project, noting prior community group approval and Type 1 process tweaks. (1:59:58)
• Jeanette B. Taylor (alderperson): Supported downzoning a vacant lot to RS-3, noting she inherited 5,000 vacant lots and has reduced them to 2,000. (2:35:41)
• Matthew J. Martin (alderperson): Presented TOD ordinance stemming from a Western Avenue corridor study, aimed at spurring residential and mixed-use development near transit. (2:37:01); Explained the substitute lists specific 47th Ward corridors, with two more corridors to come next month. (2:39:17)
• Brendan Reilly (alderperson): Supported medical cannabis ordinance as common-sense removal of red tape. (1:02:50); Asked applicant about a salon being a 'gathering place,' citing trend of salons becoming nightclubs in some wards; was reassured. (2:11:50); Requested renderings for the Oak/Larrabee project so members know what they are voting on, especially given financing delays and possible value engineering. (2:21:11)
• David H. Moore (alderperson): Supported 814 W 69th project as an asset for revitalizing 69th Street, praising a grandchild's investment in a family property. (2:13:22)
• Timothy R. Knudsen (alderperson)
• Maria E. Hadden (alderperson)
• Maria E. Hadden (city staff): Presented rezoning of the old firehouse at 1721 W Greenleaf to B3-3 for a co-working and event space, needed for the city-owned property's sale. (1:18:02)

Exchanges between members

• 55:59 Conway asked Villegas how the task force interacts with pending tenant-rights legislation and whether it is premature; Villegas answered the new chief judge's involvement makes it timely and the efforts can run in parallel.
• 58:11 Lawson asked Villegas to walk through the 180-day task force timeline; Villegas described a rapid convening of entities including a court representative.
• 1:02:23 Conway thanked Lawson for the medical cannabis ordinance based on his ward's Zen Leaf experience, calling it common-sense legislation.
• 1:02:50 Reilly asked Lawson's sponsor about the problem with current rules; expressed support for removing red tape for medical cannabis sales.
• 2:11:50 Reilly's question about the salon's 'gathering place' use prompted discussion; Moore then spoke in support of the project in his adjoining ward.
• 2:40:14 Conway asked Martin about definitions of 'encouraged uses' and exceptions for prohibited uses in the TOD ordinance; Martin deferred to DPD's Patrick Murphy for answers.
• 2:45:19 Reilly asked Martin how the TOD ordinance applies to downtown D districts; Martin confirmed it applies only to B and C districts in the 47th Ward.

Legislation on the agenda

• Designation of segment of N Western Ave right-of-way on Map Nos. 9-H, 9-I, 11-H, 11-I, 13-H, and 13-I as Transient Oriented Development… (O2026-0026261), Referred
• Designation of segment of N Ravenswood Ave right-of-way on Map No. 11-H as Transient Oriented Development (TOD) Street and amendment of… (O2026-0026239), Referred
• Historical landmark fee waiver for property at 208 S LaSalle St (Or2026-0028250), Passed
• Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-2-0207 requiring special use permits for single room occupancy residential development in RT4… (O2026-0027579), Referred

Documents

• Notice
• Agenda
• Agenda
• Agenda
• Summary

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